Pet Licensing Ordinance

Sec. 6-10. Registration of Dogs and Cats Required

An owner of any dog or cat must obtain a registration for such animal within sixty
(60) days after the dog or cat is acquired. New residents shall have sixty (60)
days to register any dog or cat. Failure to register within the proper time period
will result in a late fee, which shall be 50% of the annual license tax registration
fee.

In an effort to reduce the number of unwanted dogs and cats in Forsyth County and
as an incentive to owners of dogs and cats to have their animals sterilized, registration
of all nonexempt dogs and cats shall require payment of an annual license tax registration
fee, which shall be assessed based upon whether or not the animal is fertile.

Therefore, there is hereby imposed an annual license tax registration fee (hereinafter
referred to as “registration fee”) on the privilege of keeping all nonexempt dogs
and cats within Forsyth County as outlined below. There is hereby imposed an additional
annual registration fee in the amount of one hundred dollars ($100.00) per dog on
the privilege of keeping a dog within the county that has been declared to be a
“dangerous dog” by the county health department or the county animal control department
as outlined below.

Annual License Tax Registration Fees

Dogs

Cats

Duplicate Tag

Late Fee

Unfertile (Sterilized)

$5.00

$5.00

$5.00

$2.50

Fertile (Unsterilized)

$25.00

$25.00

$5.00

$12.50

Dangerous Dogs

$100.00

N/A

$5.00

$50.00

The Animal Control Department shall maintain records of the dog and cat registration
numbers and the person to whom the registration tag is issued.

It shall be unlawful for any person to use for any dog or cat a registration tag
issued for a dog or cat other than the animal for which the registration tag was
issued.

It shall be unlawful for any owner of any dog or cat to fail to provide any dog
or cat with a current registration tag as provided in this section. Such failure
shall constitute a violation of this section and a Class 3 misdemeanor as provided
by G.S.14-4. No registration or permit will be issued unless written proof of current
rabies vaccination is shown at the time of application for registration.

It shall be unlawful for any owner of a dog to fail to provide said animal with
a collar or harness to which a current registration tag issued under this section
is securely attached. The collar or harness, with attached registration tag, must
be worn by the animal at all times, except while the animal is participating in
bona fide animal shows, obedience trials, tracking tests, field trials, training
events or training schools, or other events sanctioned and supervised by a recognized
organization, or except while the animal is involved in lawful hunting activities,
provided that the animal’s owner or keeper has the tag in his or her actual possession
at these times.

It shall not be required for any owner of a cat to provide said animal with a collar
or harness to which the registration tag issued under this section is attached,
however, it shall be unlawful for any owner of a cat to fail to have in his or her
actual possession a current registration tag for said animal.

Sec. 6-10.1 Application for Registration and Renewal

Initial application for registration may be made at the Department of Animal Control
or designated facility, or by mail and shall include the name and address of applicant,
description of animal, proof of rabies vaccination, proof of sterilization, if appropriate,
and proof of animal’s registration in exempting events (for show animals) or a valid
hunting license (for hunting dogs), if applicable, and the appropriate fee. Upon
receipt of the application for registration and all required supporting documentation,
the Department of Animal Control will issue a durable tag stamped with a registration
number.

Registrations issued under this section shall be valid for a term of one year, commencing
with the date of issuance. The dog or cat owner must renew the registration annually
by submitting a renewal application and paying the appropriate registration fee.
Upon receipt of all required documentation and payment of the appropriate fee, if
applicable, the Department of Animal Control will issue a new registration to indicate
the new period of valid registration. Renewal fees received thirty or more days
after expiration will be subject to a late fee, which shall be 50% of the registration
fee.

If a registration tag is lost or stolen, a duplicate tag may be obtained by completing
an application for duplicate tag and paying the appropriate fee. A duplicate tag
cannot be issued until 15 days after the application and fee are received by the
Department of Animal Control. Application forms for duplicate tags are available
from the Department of Animal Control or other designated facility.

Sec. 6-10.2 Registration Payment Exemptions

Owners of the following dogs and cats must complete an application for registration,
but are exempt from paying the annual registration fee:

Handicap assistance dog, provided the dog is sterilized.

An animal, which is a working member of a law enforcement or public safety agency,
regardless whether the animal is fertile or unfertile.

Any animal in the care and custody of a not-for-profit
501(c)3 animal welfare organization that requires sterilization before adoption.

An owner of a fertile dog or fertile cat which participates in at least three (3)
nationally recognized conformation shows or professionally organized events during
the previous twelve month period shall be exempt from paying the twenty-five ($25.00)
dollars registration fee for the show animal. The registration fee for such an exempt
owner shall be five ($5.00) dollars for each such dog or cat. In order to qualify
for said exemption, each year the owner must furnish the County with proof of the
animal’s registration in the exempting events.

An owner of fertile hunting dogs shall be exempt from paying the twenty-five ($25.00)
dollars registration fee for each hunting dog. The registration fee for such an
exempt owner shall be five ($5.00) dollars for each such dog. In order to qualify
for said exemption, each year the owner must furnish the County with a valid hunting
license.

An owner of a fertile dog or cat, who provides the county with a written statement
from a licensed veterinarian which states that, due to the animal’s health, the
animal cannot be sterilized, shall be exempt from paying the twenty-five ($25.00)
dollars registration fee for that animal. The registration fee for such an animal
shall be five ($5.00) dollars.

The annual registration fee may be waived for the first 12 month period a dog or
cat is registered as spayed or neutered. A certificate from a veterinarian, or if
such is unavailable, a statement from the owner under oath, must be presented certifying
that the dog or cat for which a registration application is made is either a spayed
female or a neutered male.